Published Jun 05, 2026 | 10:03 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 05, 2026 | 10:06 AM
Ramalinga Reddy with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Synopsis: Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy forwarded his resignation letter as a minister to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, allegedly miffed over portfolio allocation. He wanted the Greater Bengaluru Development portfolio, which has been given to Krishna Byre Gowda.
Hours after the portfolios were allocated for newly sworn-in ministers of the DK Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet, senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, on Friday, 5 June, submitted his resignation as a minister to the chief minister, miffed over portfolio allocation.
Addressing the press on Friday, with the resignation letter in hand, Reddy said he was told he would be given the Greater Bengaluru Development portfolio. The ministry has now been given to Krishna Byre Gowda. Reddy said he will continue as an MLA and a party worker, but will not be in the Cabinet.
One of the senior-most leaders of the Karnataka Congress, Reddy (72) represents the BTM Layout constituency in Bengaluru. An eight-time MLA and six-time minister, Reddy has never lost an election since 1989. He previously served as Transport Minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet.
Reddy is a prominent leader in Bengaluru and is crucial for the Congress ahead of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) election, to be held later this year. It is to be noted that his daughter, Soumya Reddy, heads the Mahila Congress in Karnataka.
Also Read: DK Shivakumar keeps Finance, Krishna Byre Gowda in charge of Bengaluru
Reddy took the oath as a minister on Wednesday, along with Chief Minister Shivakumar and 12 other MLAs. On Thursday, Shivakumar allocated portfolios for all 13 ministers.
Reddy was appointed the Minister for the Major and Medium Irrigation Department, and Byre Gowda, who served as Revenue Minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, was made the Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development, including Greater Bengaluru Authority, Bengaluru North City Corporation, Bengaluru South City Corporation, Bengaluru East City Corporation, Bengaluru West Cíty Corporation, Bengaluru Central City Corporation, BWSSB, BMRCL.
The selection of the ministers is said to be aimed at ensuring representation across a range of caste and community groups, given that Shivakumar belongs to the dominant Vokkaliga community.
Shivakumar retained the Finance portfolio along with Intelligence and other departments, while Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has been allotted the Revenue and Sports departments.
Priyank Kharge will head the Home Department, besides IT & BT and e-governance. UT Khader has been allotted the Health and Family Welfare, while Yathindra Siddaramaiah has been given the charge of Urban Development.
